Crown Point Police Sgt. Stanko Gligic is the newest DARE Officer of the Year.
Gligic received the award from DARE Indiana on Wednesday, alongside DARE Indiana Educator of the Year Heather Williams, who teaches fifth grade at St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point.
Before joining the Crown Point Police Department in 2011, Gligic served with the Valparaiso Police Department for a decade. He is a 2002 graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, class No. 02-152.
In 2019, Gligic took the helm of the department’s DARE program, which was previously headed up by retired police officer and current Clerk-Treasurer Dave Benson.
“It’s an incredible honor being that I was nominated by the DARE Indiana training team. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would win this award,” he said. “It is an honor to share it with Dave Benson. It’s a testament to our department, Crown Point DARE and the community.”
This year, Gligic estimates the program will teach about 1,000 students between nine schools across the Crown Point Community School Corp. The program is funded entirely by donations.
“The reason I love DARE is it’s not only about tobacco, alcohol and drug prevention; it’s about the life skills kids need before going to middle school, high school and beyond,” Gligic said. “It’s a tough time. These kids are being bombarded with social media, and a lot of times, kids think they have to do things they don’t want to do to fit in. They don’t — they just have to believe in themselves.”
Beyond drug and alcohol prevention, Gligic, better known as Officer G to his students, said the program teaches fifth-graders how to be good citizens.
“My greatest, biggest love of DARE is the connections I make with the kids. Being able to have kids want to talk to me about their personal problems — as sad as it may be sometimes — it’s wonderful the DARE program allows for that,” he said.
Crown Point Police Chief Ryan S. Patrick said Gligic exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding police officer and educator.
“Sgt. Gligic is in our community all year round, teaching students the core principles of DARE and encouraging them to believe in themselves,” Patrick said. “His dedication to the students is unmatched, and we’re incredibly proud of him being named Indiana DARE Officer of the Year.”
Gligic was hired in 2011 under former police chief and current Mayor Pete Land.
“It has been a pleasure watching Sgt. Gligic take on this role and continue to grow the DARE program. The City is grateful and proud of his unwavering dedication to the students in our community,” Land said.